The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-03-17

o'clock and positively boisterous by ak.
Great waves rolled up from the southwest
and we plunged fearfully into the sea. We
had only jib on her, and two reefs In tho
mainsail were taken in.
Nevertheless we plunged on to windward,
ior the Captain did not dare to turn now
and "scud." We tackled and tackled, beat
ing on unit, the sun went down, and we did
not seem to be much nearer Weymouth or
Portland Roads, for which we were aiming
From Portland Island the great Chesil
Beach, knew, and so did all the sailors,
extended right away to Bridgeport, where
the mighty Portland stones have dwindled
through all shapes and sizes Of pebbles to
sand and gravel; and the biggest always
the highest up the bank
Tho Captain, or sailing.master, was brave
enough, but anxious; the crew were steady !;
tho gentlemen on board were serious; the
ladies very i'll and quite careless Of danger.
The little heir was fast asleep In my arms,
and As We heeled over and listened TO the
slapping and dashing Of the waves outside,
and the rush Of water across the deck,
prayed earnestly and wondered whether we
should ever see Cardewe manor again.
III.
1t was evening and we were past Portland
Bill. The Captain said we must 90 about
and run in on the tide to make all the lee.
way up. The wind was dead ON shore. The
waves beat high upon the Chesil bank, and
II l could do some fine writing could tell
you about the curling tops Of the masses Of
water which poured on the shingle But
that was nothing to the next days sea-
That shall never forget.
The Firefy had been sighted and con-
siderable anxiety had been expressed con-
cerning her. Little did think that among
the people who we're watching us were
Charley and Captain Armstrong, In fear for
the result Charley told me afterwsrd that
the Captain was as cool as ever, and ap-
parcntly afraid Of getting wet; 30 he hired
o cab and drove down through Weymouth
to the island, leaving Mr.. and Mrs. Martyr
Henry at the hotel to receive the party II
they ran alongside the pier safely.
The evening was deepening into blus-
tering and stormy night as Charley and
Captain Armstrong drove to Portland, and
| our yacht was driving on. We were still
below, when the easier motion Of our yacht,
consequent on our running before the wind,
induced us to go on deck. Behind US was o
limitless, tumbling sea, dark clouds and
rain; in front the Chcsil bank, the island
with its quarries and its prisoners, and the
smooth water Of tho roads beyond. In IN
hour or so VIC should be riding alongside
tho pier or in the hsrbor or pulling ashore
to catch the train home 30 We saidi
But how is this! We arc not going for
the harbor direct! Yes, we are--what is
that behind us!-a roar, then fash, and
another roar. Blow, blow, good wind, ere
the storm overtakes us, or we shall fare
badly. Flap! flap! The wind has suddenly
failed us. I'VE are in the very center Of q
little cyclone" SO said the Captain.
"Bear hand. mon; We shall be taken
aback in minute" shouted the master,
rushing to tho tiller. "Furl, all--up with
her-leave tho jib alone, clew up tho main
soil, smartf'
No time to lose. Flap Boom comes the
Firehy heels over like toy, the jib strains.
with fearful, rending, ripping report, and
the yacht drives down upon Portland.
''Steady, men! All hands out Of the
dinghy! Remember the women and the
child! Bend the foresail. Let her runl"
roared the master. The yacht paid OF and,
turning her back on the sen, rushed down
chsnnel-alas! into o tide-eddy, which
sucked her under the rocks Of Portland
Island as the wind vcered again.
The soldiers at the Verne by this time
were crowded upon the cliffs to see the
'wrcck." Some shouted for ropes, some
for rockets, but neither were forthcoming.
The yacht drove in, and in five minutes ran
between two rocks, where (the wind having
chopped again to the southwest) she re-
mained stern to sea-frequently swept by
the waves, and apparently with only few
minutes to live. We were screaming and
in the most terrible distress. Lady Par
dock alone said not word She took her
child from my arms and said:
"Mrs. Farmer, try and save yourself
when the time comes. Jocelyn and will
die together"
Mamma, am very hungry. May have
some tea soonl" whimpered Jocelyn.
The mother kissed him passionately
Tears came into my eyes as remembered
my own children and Charley. Was this
deathl
Mr.. Hemphill did all he could to cheer US.
''They will find q rocket and we can reach
those rocks there on the beach. It is not 30
rough here as yonder. We are lucky" he
said.
Lucky! thought. Lucky to die In two
minutes or less when the yacht begins to
break up!
Mr.. Cardewe and his wife wero standing
hand in hand, pale but firm. They had been
had prayed, too. The light was
dying out. A black figure was seen upon
the beach. II he could swim out that fifty
yards or so he might bring us some as
sistance. The master shook his head.
'There's no swimmer In Dorset As will do
it. It's possible. I've seen men in the
Pacific swim as bad bits, but there's not ten
men in this country would try it."
Tho figure came near and stood by the
cliff in place opposite the wreck Three
men were behind him on o ledge-holding
rope-he eintended to come out then. Hurrahi
He plunged from rock into deep, seeth- |
ing water which broke over his head. He
was gone! No! He reappeared beyond the |
wave; he had gone through 1t and was max |
ing progress toward tho yacht, steadily. !
We could not bear to look OF him. 1t seemed |
as il he must be dashed to pieces; but he |
made his way out, and, after terrible |
struggle underline yachts bows, was hauled |
in, bleeding, dripping, half-naked, and with |
q strong line around his waist.
A cheer! another; scream from Lady |
Pardock. The very last person she ex-
pected to see had done this thrice-gallant |
Armstrong, who she had
limited was a coward. A coward!
There was no time for compliments. The |
men ashore had gained the beach now, and
had already attached rope to the line. The !
rope was hauled on board, basket and
whip were quickly attached and tho basket |
travelled across, deluged at times by the |
waves, but securely. The first person to |
r,entura Nra Cardovuo Rv OoparoV